Epic Feasts.

Luther and Fat Cat.

PreDinner cocktails at Luther and Adenas!

Smoothies at Ro's house on the bay...

Rob, Mom and Me...throwing back champagne and eating some rice and curry!

Tuesday: taco dinner compliments of joe and Sam.

Wednesday: couscous with goat cheese and grilled veggies (and bloody Mary's) @ Luther and Adenas.

Thursday: breakfast smoothies and coffee @ ro's. Sri Lankan feast at mi casa with Robear.

Feeling overwhelmed by the abundance of love I've been receiving.

With Practice...

Me and Brookie!

talk like a sailor.  sing like a saint.

headstand bliss.

joe showing us his moves...

Patthabi Jois said "With Practice, All is Coming". I have found this statement to be so very true...

Brooke and I have been friends for a while now, and have become very close this past year. She's been coming to all of my classes and it has been so satisfying to watch her practice improve. The other day in class she popped up into a perfect headstand and I was beaming from ear to ear. I remember telling her last summer that with practice she'd get it...and sure enough- with practice, all is coming!

Brooke heads back home today, and I'm bummed to say goodbye- but she'll be back on weekends when she can get away from work. We had some great meals together, did several yoga classes, and drank lots of champagne. I gave her all the cool prezzies I had picked up for her in Asia, and she had a present for me as well - a tshirt that said "talk like a sailor, sing like a saint". And just when we thought that we had crammed as much fun into her visit as possible- we got more! Dinner at Joe and Sams! We headed to their house for tacos after yoga, and when we were talking about Brookies headstand, Joe showed us the headstand that HE'D been working on all winter! Goddang, all my amazing students are making me feel like a proud mama!

Life is Short, Slow Down.

Life is too short to not be savored. 

Slow down. 

This is my thought for the day, which was the theme for the class I taught this morning. The most significant difference between the West (that'd be us) and the East (that'd be India) is not the cuisine, and it's not the language - no, the greatest difference is the pace at which we live our lives. Often times in the US we think the more, the faster, the better! In India I learned how to slow.down. As they say all over asia: "Shanti, Shanti", and "Slowly, Slowly". When you slow down you are able to savor every action and every person. When you slow down you are able to bring an awareness into your life that cannot exist when you are moving quickly. When you slow down you are able to make each and every act sacred. When the day comes for you to leave this life, if you have moved slowly - I promise you that you will be able to look back without regret...

Monday morning is to be my day off, but I had to cover today for Nicole Cuccinota - one of our teachers at the Zen Den. Nicole is a full power woman, and amazing mama, and the most devoted wife. Her husband Dean has cancer and has been fighting the good fight for quite some time now. He fights his battle with the same strength, integrity and grace that my father had....never complaining, never a "why me", and instead of counting the days that he WON'T have, he savors each and every moment that he DOES have. When I drove to the studio this morning, pondering what to teach and what to talk about, I couldn't help but to have a heavy heart. I cried most of the drive, varying between a few tears rolling down my face to full blown sobs. I feel so connected to the emotions that the Cuccinota family is going through: I feel their pain, their happiness, their heartbreak. And I remember, just last summer, savoring each.and.every.moment that we had - never rushing towards tomorrow, because today was such a beautiful blessing...

SO, today's class was a HATHA flow. A slow, mindful, deep, practice filled with awareness -- just as I'd practiced in India. By slowing down and tuning in, we gave each pose the dedication that it deserved. So on the mat, and in the world - stop trying to rush towards tomorrow, towards more, towards what's next ... but savor the moment. Because this moment is all that we have, and this moment is a blessing.

Small Spaces.

The prius, filled to the brim!

The Zen Den, packed to the max with 28 people!

trunk sale of all my winter treasures!

just a preview of some of the goods...

just a preview of some of the goods...

We managed to pack months worth of treasures into my little prius. Then I was off to the studio to teach my Sunday morning class, where we packed 29 people into a studio that could.not.fit.another.limb. Seriously, we were wall to wall - and it was amazing! The energy was bursting out through the walls. Amazing. Directly following class we started to unload the car and fill the studio space with all of the eclectic bits and pieces that I'd collected throughout my winter away. The sale was a great success, and I still have a ton of stuff to sell - which I will be peddling via my online Etsy store......

Vagabond Ramblings

I haven't put anything on the shop yet, but I will be adding items slowly throughout the week, so be sure to check back! If you are a friend of mine, it'd be best to tell me what it is on the site that you'd like and we will work out payment away from the Etsy site :)

Fancy Meals and Fancy Friends.

momma and me.

andrew and tam.

I'm a simple gal, who loves fancy things. I appreciate a fancy, expensive meal- and some fancy, expensive champagne. Tonight we had a 10pm reservation at the swanky Diving Horse restaurant in Avalon. It's one of my favorite restaurants in the US. Two of the servers there, Lauren and Nate, have been my favorites since day 1, and I always appreciate their love and insight for the menu. After months of rice and curry, it felt good to get dressed up, throw on some heels and sip some fancy booze with my amazing friends...

HipHopBootyPop

Despite having little-to-no-voice (I had to cancel last nights gig!), I managed to teach two packed classes this morning! The first class was a hip hop booty poppin' class, dj'd by my girl Kelly Croce Sorg! It was such a success, and I was flying SO high, that I decided to make my second class a hip hop booty popping flow as well! The theme of the class wasn't just vulgar music, shouting "holla muthafuka", or dancing like its 1999...but it was about LETTING GO, and the best way to let go is to loosen up! Tonight is a full moon, and the full moon is a powerful and auspicious time of month that encourages and empowers us to let go of anything that we are holding on to. Rumi puts it perfectly...

Dancing

Dance when you're broken open.

Dance when you've torn the bandage off.

Dance in the middle of fighting.

Dance in your blood.

Dance when you're perfectly free.

Struck, the dancer hears a tambourine inside her,

like a wave that crests into foam at the very top,

Begins.

Maybe you don't hear that tambourine,

or the tree leaves clapping time.

Close the ears on your head,

that listen mostly to lies and cynical jokes.

There are other things to see, and hear.

Music. Dance.

A brilliant city inside your soul!

--Rumi

So today in class, we let go of the lies and cynical jokes that we attach ourselves to, and just danced- celebrating the brilliant city inside our souls! 

the zen den

Come check us out at THE ZEN DEN!

Windy Days and Welker

me and my andrew.

clams on the half at mikes seafood.

andrew and his girlfriend tamrah.

family photo in front of carols custard sign. andy, me, mom.

tam and her "small" banana split

Yesterday I was exhausted. I was losing my voice, and my internal clock was all out of sorts. After teaching two classes I was excited to head home, soak in the tub, and relax. Just as the bathroom was warming up and the water was getting hot, my mom called me downstairs. She'd been acting weird all morning....telling me when to nap, advising me to hold off on lunch, and rushing me to get a shower. I figured it was just a bit of neurosis or excitement about me being back- but actually, it was all supporting my big SURPRISE...Andrew Welker!! Andy is like family to me- we have been great friends for about 10 years now, and my love for him runs deep. Anywho, he flew up for the weekend from Texas with his amazing girlfriend Tamra as a SURPRISE. Well, you could have knocked me over with a feather! Unfortunately the weather here has been super cold, so we couldn't enjoy the beach, the bay or any of south jerseys fine outdoor activities. So...we have been eating and drinking and eating and drinking--- and laughing! So grateful for such a great surprise!

Yoga, Presents and Green Smoothies.

kellys gift for me....a "lets fucking reminisce" photo album!

krissy e in a perfect bind.

manipura chakra!!!

kellys scorpion variation

driving and drinking green smoothies, going from one job to another and getting ready for a surf!

To say that I love my job would be an understatement. I am truly truly grateful to be able to support myself by doing what I *love*. It has been wonderful to come home and be able to flow right back into the rhythm of summer. This morning I taught two classes, one in Avalon and one in OC, and both were full of familiar smiling faces. Between classes I stopped home to blend up a super power kale smoothie and to grab my longboard- and then it was off to OC. I was received with hugs and presents (thank you Kelly for the hysterical photo album, and damn you Diane for those delicious chocolate caramels!!). Life is good!

Memorial Day Weekend YOGA!

Body Work + Healing

This summer I am offering up all sorts of amazing healing, from both a physical and energetic approach. I have started to do one on one training with the amazing Rose Griscam, taking my Thai Massage to the next level - and while in India I studied Reiki, Marma, and working with Gems. 

Thai Massage: 

Thai massage, thai yoga massage, thai yoga therapy are all names used for this form of bodywork that is based on Ayurvedic medicine and yoga. It's a combination of acupressure, energy meridian work, and yoga-like stretching. No oil is used and the client remains completely clothed throughout the session. It's based on the theory of the flow of energy between specific points on the periphery of the body and the internal organs. The acupressure points stimulate and relax the patients mind and body, promoting a natural healing processes. It improves circulation, flexibility, and muscle tone. Thai massage helps in repairing damaged tissue. The blend of acupressure and stretching is especially beneficial for those who are stiff, sore, or tired from over-exertion, and those suffering from arthritis. It encourages lymphatic function and the deep tissue massage helps to detoxify the body, heighten the immune system, and prevent disease and injury by promoting flexibility and supple joints. 

Reiki:

Reiki is a Japanese word meaning "Universal Life Energy", the divine life-giving force. 

Reiki energy has five effects:

-Deep relaxation

-Dissolves energy blockages

-Detoxifies

-Supplies healing universal life-force energy

-Increases the vibrational frequency of the body

Marma Massage:

Marma massage is a form of acupressure where specific points throughout the body are stimulated by applying pressure. There are 117 "prana points" in our body that can become congested or stagnant, and by stimulating this point you help chi to flow to the area - moving energy that is felt emotionally and physically. Marma massage is great as a therapeutic approach for specific injuries, ailments and pain (vertigo, menstrual pain, congestion, chronic headaches, shoulder pain, suppressed sadness, etc etc). 

Gems:

Using the natural and powerful healing power of gems to move energy, help promote a natural release of stagnant emotions, and create an overall feeling of well being. 

I have handpicked (with a pendulum!) gems from sacred places in India and Sri Lanka for healing work.

PRICE LIST:

• Thai Massage
: $80/75minutes

• Reiki
: $50/60minutes

• Marma Massage
: price varies based on therapeutic focus and treatment

• Full Body Healing
(blend of thai massage, reiki, marma, and gems): $100 for treatment (lasting from 75min - 120minutes)

Call 609.338.8125 or email cailin.callahan@gmail.com to schedule appointment.

YOGAYOGAYOGA

patthabi jois said that "yoga is 99% practice and 1% theory".

so get off your ass and get to class!! 

Tuesdays:

9:30am @ Ocean City Zen Den

5:30pm @ Atilis 

7:30pm @ Heisler Training (*yin)

Wednesdays:

9:30am @ Ocean City Zen Den

5:30pm @ Margate Zen Den (*Meditation + Pranayama)

7:45pm @ Living Well CrossFit (*yin)

Thursdays:

10am @ Atilis

Fridays:

7am @ Atilis

9:30am @ Ocean City Zen Den

Saturdays:

8am @ Ocean City Zen Den

9:45am @ Margate Zen Den

Sundays:

7am @ 41st Street Beach Ocean City, Sunrise Yoga

9:30am @ Ocean City Zen Den 

*Ocean City Zen Den:

9th + Asbury, Ocean City

*Margate Zen Den:

101 N. Washington Ave, Margate

*Atilis:

3206 Dune Drive, Avalon

*Heisler Training:

Route 9, Swainton

*Living Well Crossfit:

950 Tilton Rd, Northfield

Mondays:

7 Week Workshop Series July 1st - Aug 12th

6pm - 8pm @ Ocean City Zen Den

July 1st: AUM - The Meaning + Practice

July 8th: Surya Namaskar - Saluting the Divine

July 15th: Chakra Exploration

July 22nd: Chanting and Devotional Singing

July 29th: The Power of Pranayama + Kundalini

August 5th: Connecting Through the Heart Chakra

August 12th: Blindfolded Yoga - Exploring the Senses

*preregistration is required

Travel Day and Sushi!

And so...after the 6 hour taxi ride, 2 hour wait in the Colombo airport, 3 hour flight to Mumbai, 14 hour layover, followed by 16 hour flight to Newark then a 3 hour drive...IM HOME! I kept it together the whole time, but as we were descending into Newark I started to cry, not just little tears, but a hysterical, panicking, terrible cry. It was a release of sadness for the special people that I left in Arugam Bay, as well as a deep sadness about my Dad no longer being "home". I was grateful that Chris Paisley picked me up at the airport, it has always felt like home in his arms and in his presence, but it was a good to ease my way into transitioning back.

When I got home I didn't have time to dilly dally...there was a long To Do list for the week and summer ahead, as well as heaps of boxes to unpack, organize and price for this weekends trunk sale. I forgot that I'd pretty much bought myself a whole new wardrobe in India, so the presents for myself cheered me up a bit.

Brad, Ro, Mom and Me went to Faiths for sushi, which we obviously washed down with champagne and then we topped it off with some ice cream from across the street. I came home and crashed instantly, and in my dreams I was right back home in Arugam Bay...I think I'll be back sooner than later...

music.

Buschs, Sea Isle City: 9pm-12midnight on Friday May 24th
Yesterday's Deck Bar: 7-11pm on Friday May 31st

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!! Hope to see your faces at the upcoming shows! I have heaps of new songs!! And an Ukulele!

Bye Bye Arugam Bay

I gave my longboard to Nir, my shortboard to Bathu, and my yoga mat to Yael. I got rid of more than half of my clothes...giving some to Yael and Mimi and throwing the rest which was well-loved (aka tattered and torn) in the trash. So as far as luggage goes, I was doing great! And then came the presents.... Nir gifted me a Carram board so I can practice practice practice and come back with some skills next year. And then Pontus arrived with a UKELELE for me! Holy good god almighty. The bounty continues! The saying "the more you give, the more you receive" is so very true. And then, the goodbyes. There weren't any tears, because I know I'll be back. I took a puff of some ganja to help with the long car ride, played one final round of world domination Carram with my favorite local boys and then had a dance party to Mark Ronsons "Somebody To Love Me". 6hr taxi ride, 2 hours to kill in Colombo airport, 3 hour flight to Mumbai, 14hr layover, 16hr flight to Newark, then 3 hour car ride home....bye bye Arugam Bay! See you soon!

Pleasure, Pain and the Power of Friends.

The greatest pains and the greatest of pleasures all pass. I have held both pleasure and pain so close this winter and as much as you may cling to them, indeed they go just as they came... And I've found that pleasure and pain aren't so different after all, they're intimately connected- because it's usually pain that follows the pleasure. How could one feel pain if they hadn't held pleasure?! And how could one appreciate pleasure if they hadn't suffered pain? And so it has been, this dance between the two, navigating extreme sadness and the most wholesome, nourishing happiness. Both experiences are an opportunity to grow, and I know that I am returning home a different woman than the girl that set off in late Autumn. 

T.S. Eliot said,

"We shall not cease from exploration

And the end of all our exploring

Will be to arrive where we started

And know the place for the first time." 

And so, after all this exploring, I'm returning into my spiritual self and my physical home, for the first time. Fresh. 

This winter has held so many magical moments, and so many beautiful people. It has offered up delicious food and perfect waves. The days and the nights haven't been long enough to contain the fun, bliss and abundance that has been sent to me. I owe it all to the company I've kept, so ill end with one more quote from TS Eliot, which sums up how I feel about the importance of some good friends. Thank you to EVERYONE who held me, loved me, nourished me and laughed with me this winter! I'll see you all again, someday...

"You do not know how much they mean to me, my friends,

And how, how rare and strange it is, to find

In a life composed so much, so much of odds and ends,

(For indeed I do not love it ... you knew? you are not blind! How keen you are!)

To find a friend who has these qualities,

Who has, and gives

Those qualities upon which friendship lives.

How much it means that I say this to you-

Without these friendships-life, what cauchemar!" 

― T.S. Eliot

Cailin Callahan

www.cailincallahan.blogspot.com

Memorial Day Weekend YOGA!

Holy SHITBALLS! It's that time of year. I'm home in a few days and I'm hitting the ground running with all sorts of amazingness. In addition to beach yoga, both Zen Dens and Living Well Crossfit...I'll also be teaching 3 classes a week at Atilis in Avalon and one Yin class a week in swainton. My Memorial Day weekend schedule is...

Friday:
7am @ Atilis in Avalon
9:30am @ OC Zen Den

Saturday:
8am @ OC Zen Den
9:45am @ Margate Zen Den

Sunday:
9:30am @ OC Zen Den

Friends with Shortboards...

Wake up no later than five. Start the kettle. Then I walk outside and holler into Nirs room for him to wake up. He joins me for some yoga in the living room, we take some tea, then it's back outside to holler into Zivs room through the window. Most mornings Ziv doesn't rally to surf, despite my multiple attempts to wake him. So by 6, Nir and I start the walk to the point. He is the eternal gentleman, so he carries my 9' log and I carry his little light potato chip. This has been my routine for months now, but I'm so grateful that Nir has joined in, and is enjoying it as much as me. It's always beautiful to share your mornings with a good friend, and its even better when that friend offers to carry your heavy ass longboard for you...

Cailin Callahan

www.cailincallahan.blogspot.com

Bliss and Abundance on a Big Rock.

Yesterday we had an adventure. Mimi, Nir and I headed to Okanda to check out the break and then to the Kudimbagala Monastery to climb to the top of the very very big rock. We saw nearly a dozen elephants along the way, and one that was almost too close for comfort. The real magic though was atop the rock...where the silence, the wind, and the hundreds of swifts flying around produce a sense of serenity that can't be found below. A few times I got a bit choked up as thoughts of my approaching departure came to mind, but then I just shut my eyes and surrendered to the bliss and the abundance that was all around me. Another beautiful day. 

Cailin Callahan

www.cailincallahan.blogspot.com

Mimi, Nir and Malcolm...
...thanks Dad.